Consecration to Jesus Through Mary

TRUE DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

by St. Louis de Montfort

"St. Louis De Montfort advises us to prepare for the consecration by exercises which certainly and not compulsory, but which assure its great efficacy because of the purity and other dispositions which they tend to develop in our souls.

Two different periods are assigned for these exercises:

a preliminary period of twelve days during which we endeavor "to free ourselves from the spirit of the world"; and

a second period of three weeks; the first devoted to the knowledge of ourselves, the second to that of the Blessed Virgin and the third to that of Jesus Christ.

These periods mentioned by St. Louis De Montfort do not constitute a rigorous and unchangeable division. According to circumstances, they may be lengthened or shortened. The faithful often take but three days to prepare for the annual renewal of their consecration.

The object of this consecration is to cast off the spirit of the world, which is contrary to that of Jesus Christ, in order to acquire fully the spirit of Jesus Christ through the Blessed Virgin. Hence the practices suggested by St. Louis De Montfort: renouncement of the world, knowledge of self, of the Blessed Virgin and of Jesus Christ."

FIRST PERIOD - TWELVE PRELIMINARY DAYS

RENOUNCEMENT OF THE WORLD

"The first part of the preparation should be employed in casting off the spirit of the world, which is contrary to that of Jesus Christ."

The spirit of the world consists essentially in the denial of the supreme dominion of God, a denial which is manifested in practice by sin and disobedience; thus it is principally opposed to the spirit of Christ, which is also that of Mary.

It manifests itself by the concupiscence of the flesh, by the concupiscence of the eyes and by the pride of life; by disobedience to God's laws and the abuse of created things. Its works are, first, sin in all its forms; and then all else by which the devil leads to sin; works which bring error and darkness to the mind, and seduction and corruption to the will. Its pomps are the splendor and the charms employed by the devil to render sin alluring in persons, places and things.

Prayers to be said every day: Veni Creator and Ave Maris Stella

Suitable reading for the twelve days: Gospel according to St. Matthew, chapters 5, 6, 7.

Spiritual Exercises: Examine your conscience, pray, practice renouncement, mortification, purity of heart, this purity is the indispensable condition for contemplating God in heaven, to see Him on earth and to know Him by the light of faith.

VENI CREATOR

Great Paraclete! To Thee we cry,
O highest gift of God most high!
O font of life! O fire of love!
And sweet anointing from above

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts art known,
The finger of God's hand we own;
The promise of the Father, Thou!
Who dost the tongue with power endow.

Kindle our senses from above,
And make our hearts o'erflow with love;
With patience firm and virtue high
The weakness of our flesh supply.

Far from us drive the foe we dread,
And grant us Thy true peace instead;
So shall we not, with Thee for guide,
Turn from the path of life aside.

O, may Thy grace on us bestow
The Father and the Son to know,
And Thee through endless times confessed
Of both the eternal Spirit bless.

All glory while the ages run
Be to the Father and the Son
Who rose from death; the same to Thee,
O Holy Ghost, eternally. Amen.

MAGNIFICAT

My soul magnifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has looked on His servant in her lowliness.
For behold, henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed;
for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name;
And His mercy is from age to age on those who fear Him.
He has shown strength with His arm, He has scattered the proud-hearted,
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
He has filled the hungry with good things, sent the rich away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel, remembering his mercy, as He spoke to our fathers to Abraham and to His seed for ever.

Show thyself a mother;
May the Word Divine,
Born for us thy infant,
Hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling,
Mildest of the mild,
Freed from guilt, preserve us,
Pure and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,
Make our way secure,
Till we find in Jesus
Joy forevermore.

Through the highest heaven
To the Almighty Three,
Father, Son and Spirit,
One same glory be. Amen.

SECOND PERIOD - FIRST WEEK

KNOWLEDGE OF SELF

"During the first week they should employ all their prayers and pious actions in asking for a knowledge of themselves and for contrition of their sins; and they should do this in a spirit of humility."

During this week, we shall consider not so much the opposition that exists between the spirit of Jesus and ours, as the miserable and humiliating state to which our sins have reduced us. Moreover, the True Devotion being an easy, short, sure and perfect way to arrive at that union with Our Lord which is Christian perfection, we shall enter seriously upon this way, strongly convinced of our misery and helplessness. But how attain this without a knowledge of ourselves?

Spiritual Exercises: Prayers, examens, reflection, acts of renouncement of our own will, of contrition for our sins, of contempt of self - all performed at the feet of Mary, for it is from her we hope for light to know ourselves, and it is near her that we shall be able to measure the abyss of our miseries without despairing.

LITANY OF THE HOLY GHOST

(For private devotion only)

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Father, all powerful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us.
Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Promise of God the Father, Have Mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly water...
Author of all good...
Source of heavenly water...
Consuming fire...
Ardent charity...
Spiritual unction...
Spirit of love and truth...
Spirit of wisdom and understanding...
Spirit of counsel and fortitude...
Spirit of the fear of the Lord...
Spirit of grace and prayer...
Spirit of peace and meekness...
Spirit of modesty and innocence...
Holy Ghost, the Comforter...
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier...
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church...
Gift of God, the Most High...
Spirit Who fillest the universe...
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God...
Holy Ghost, inspire us with the horror of sin.
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts.
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces.
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation.
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good.
Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, send us Thy Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.

V. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful
R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Let us pray

Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit enlighten, inflame, and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever. Amen.

LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God...
Holy Virgin of virgins...
Mother of Christ...
Mother of divine grace...
Mother most pure...
Mother most chaste...
Mother inviolate...
Mother undefiled...
Mother most amiable...
Mother most admirable
Mother of good counsel...
Mother of our Creator...
Mother of our Savior...
Virgin most prudent...
Virgin most venerable...
Virgin most renowned...
Virgin most powerful...
Virgin most merciful...
Virgin most faithful...
Mirror of justice...
Seat of wisdom...
Cause of our joy...
Spiritual vessel...
Vessel of honor...
Singular vessel of devotion...
Mystical rose...
Tower of David...
Tower of ivory...
House of gold...
Ark of the covenant...
Gate of heaven...
Morning star...
Health of the sick...
Refuge of sinners...
Comforter of the afflicted
Help of Christians...
Queen of angels...
Queen of patriarchs...
Queen of prophets...
Queen of Apostles...
Queen of Martyrs...
Queen of Confessors...
Queen of virgins...
Queen of all saints...
Queen conceived without original sin...
Queen assumed into heaven...
Queen of the most holy Rosary...
Queen of Peace...
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

Grant unto us, Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O lord God, at all times to enjoy health of soul and body; and by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary, ever virgin, when freed from the sorrows of this present life, to enter into that joy which hath no end. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

SECOND WEEK

Knowledge of the Blessed Virgin

"They shall devote the second week to the knowledge of the Blessed Virgin."

We must unite ourselves to Jesus through Mary - this is the characteristic of our devotion; therefore Saint De Montfort asks that the second week be employed in acquiring a knowledge of the Blessed Virgin.

Mary is our sovereign and our mediatrix, our Mother and our Mistress. Let us then endeavor to know the effects of this royalty, of this mediation, and of this maternity, as well as the grandeurs and prerogatives which are the foundation or consequences thereof. Our Mother is also a perfect mold wherein we are to be molded in order to make her intentions and dispositions ours. This we cannot achieve without studying the interior life of Mary; namely, her virtues, her sentiments, her actions, her participation in the mysteries of Christ and her union with Him.

Prayers: Litany of the Holy Ghost. Ave Maris Stella. Litany of the Blessed Virgin. St. Louis De Montfort’ s Prayer to Mary. Recitation of the Rosary.

Spiritual Exercises: Acts of love, pious affections for the Blessed Virgin, imitation of her virtues, especially her profound humility, her lively faith, her blind obedience, her continual mental prayer, her
mortification in all things, her ardent charity, her heroic patience, her angelic sweetness and her divine wisdom; "these being," as St. Louis De Montfort says, "the ten principal virtues of the Blessed Virgin."

ST. LOUIS DE MONTFORT'S PRAYER TO MARY

Hail Mary, beloved Daughter of the Eternal Father! Hail Mary, admirable Mother of the Son! Hail Mary, faithful Spouse of the Holy Ghost! Hail Mary, my dear Mother, my loving Mistress, my powerful sovereign! Hail my joy, my glory, my heart and my soul! Thou art all mine by mercy, and I am all thine by justice. But I am not yet sufficiently thine. I know give myself wholly to thee without keeping anything back for myself or others. If thou still seest in me anything which does not belong to thee, I beseech thee to take it and to make thyself the absolute Mistress of all that is mine. Destroy in me all that may be displeasing to God, root it up and bring it to naught; place and cultivate in me everything that is pleasing to thee.

May the light of thy faith dispel the darkness in my mind; may thy profound humility take the place of my pride; may thy sublime contemplation check the distractions of my wandering imagination; may thy continuous sight of God fill my memory with His presence; may the burning love of thy heart inflame the lukewarmness of mine, may thy virtues take the place of my sins; may thy merits be my only adornment in the sight of God and make up all that is wanting in me. Finally, dearly beloved Mother, grant, if it be possible, that I may have no other spirit but thine to know Jesus and His divine will; that I may have no other soul but thine to praise and glorify the Lord; that I may have no other heart but thine to love God with a love as pure and ardent as thine. I do not ask thee for visions, revelations, sensible devotion or spiritual pleasures. It is thy privilege to see God clearly; it is thy privilege to enjoy heavenly bliss; it is thy privilege to triumph gloriously in heaven at the right hand of thy Son and to hold absolute sway over angels, men and demons; it is thy privilege to dispose of all the gifts of God, just as thou willest.

Such is, O heavenly Mary, the "best part" which the Lord has given thee and which shall never be taken away from thee - and this thought fills my heart with joy. As for my part here below, I wish for no other than that which was thine; to believe sincerely without spiritual pleasures; to suffer joyfully without human consolation; to die continually to myself without respite; and to work zealously and unselfishly for thee until death as the humblest of thy servants. The only grace I beg thee to obtain for me is that every day and every money of my life I may say: Amen - Amen - so be it, to all that thou art now doing in heaven; Amen - so be it, to all that thou art doing in my soul, so that thou alone mayest fully glorify Jesus in me for time and eternity. Amen.

THIRD WEEK

Knowledge of Jesus Christ

"During the third week, they shall apply themselves to the study of Jesus Christ."

What is to be studied in Christ? First the Man-God, His grace and glory; then His rights to sovereign dominion over us; since, after having renounced Satan and the world, we have taken Jesus Christ for our "Lord." What next shall be the object of our study? His exterior actions and also His interior life, namely, the virtues and acts of His Sacred Heart, His association with Mary in the mysteries of the Annunciation and Incarnation, during His infancy and hidden life, at the feat of Cana and on Calvary.

Prayers: Litany of the Holy Ghost. Ave Maris Stella. Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus or of the Sacred Heart. St. Louis De Montfort’ s Prayer to Jesus. The prayer: O Jesus living in Mary.

Spiritual Exercises: Acts of love of God, thanksgiving for the blessings of Jesus, contrition and resolution.

LITANY OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Jesus hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world...
God the Holy Ghost...
Holy Trinity, one God...
Jesus, Son of the living God...
Jesus, splendor of the Father...
Jesus, brightness of eternal light...
Jesus, King of glory...
Jesus, son of justice...
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary...
Jesus, most amiable...
Jesus, most admirable...
Jesus, mighty God...
Jesus, Father of the world to come...
Jesus, angel of the great council...
Jesus, most powerful...
Jesus, most patient...
Jesus, most obedient...
Jesus, meek and humble of heart...
Jesus, lover of chastity...
Jesus, lover of us...
Jesus, God of peace...
Jesus, author of life...
Jesus, model of virtues...
Jesus, lover of souls...
Jesus, our God...
Jesus, our refuge...
Jesus, Father of the poor...
Jesus, treasure of the faithful...
Jesus, Good Shepherd...
Jesus, true light...
Jesus, eternal wisdom...
Jesus, infinite goodness...
Jesus, our way and our life...
Jesus, joy of angels...
Jesus, King of patriarchs...
Jesus, master of Apostles...
Jesus, teacher of Evangelists...
Jesus, strength of martyrs...
Jesus, light of confessors...
Jesus, purity of virgins...
Jesus, crown of all saints...
Be merciful, spare us, O Jesus.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Jesus.
From all evil, Jesus deliver us.
From all sin...
From Thy wrath...
From the snares of the devil...
From the spirit of fornication...
From everlasting death...
From the neglect of Thine inspirations...
Through the mystery of Thy holy incarnation...
Through Thy nativity...
Through Thine infancy...
Through Thy most divine life...
Through Thy labors...
Through Thine agony and Passion...
Through Thy cross and dereliction...
Through Thy sufferings...
Through Thy death and burial...
Through Thy Resurrection...
Through Thine Ascension...
Through Thine Institution of the most Holy Eucharist...
Through Thy joys...
Through Thy glory...
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.

LET US PRAY

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said: Ask and ye shall receive; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you; grant, we beseech Thee to us who ask the gift of Thy divine love, that we may ever love Thee with all our hearts, and in all our words and actions, and never cease praising Thee.

Give us, O Lord, a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy Name; for Thou never failest to govern those whom Thou dost solidly establish in Thy love. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost...
Holy Trinity, one God...
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father...
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mother...
Heart of Jesus, substantially united with the Word of God...
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty...
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God...
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High...
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven...
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity...
Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love...
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love...
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues...
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise...
Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts...
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge...
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells all the fullness of divinity...
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased...
Heart of Jesus, whose fullness we have all received...
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills...
Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful...
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee...
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness...
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins...
Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium...
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses...
Heart of Jesus, obedient unto death...
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance...
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation...
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection...
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation...
Heart of Jesus, victim for sin...
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee...
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee...
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints...
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Almighty and everlasting God, graciously regard the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son and the acts of praise and satisfaction which He renders Thee on behalf of us sinners, and through their merit grant pardon to us who implore Thy mercy. In the name of Thy Son Jesus Christ; Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.

ST. LOUIS DE MONTFORT'S PRAYER TO JESUS

O most loving Jesus, deign to let me pour forth my gratitude before Thee, for the grace Though hast bestowed upon me in giving me to Thy holy Mother through the devotion of Holy Bondage, that she may be my advocate in the presence of Thy majesty and my support in my extreme misery. Alas, O Lord! I am so wretched that without this dear Mother I should be certainly lost. Yes, Mary is necessary for me at Thy side and everywhere; that she may appease thy just wrath, because I have so often offended Thee; that she may save me from the eternal punishment of Thy justice, which I deserve; that she may contemplate Thee, speak to Thee, pray to Thee; approach Thee and please Thee; that she may help me to save my soul and the souls of others; in short, Mary is necessary for me that I may always do Thy holy will and seek Thy greater glory in all things. Ah, would that I could proclaim throughout the whole world the mercy that Thou hast shown to me! Would that everyone might know I should be already damned, were it not for Mary! Would that I might offer worthy thanksgiving for so great a blessing! Mary is in me. Oh, what a treasure! Oh, what a consolation! And shall I not be entirely hers? O, what ingratitude! My dear Savior, send the death rather than such a calamity, for I would rather die than live without belonging entirely to Mary. With St. John the Evangelist at the foot of the cross, I have taken her a thousand times for my own and as many times have given myself to her, but if I have not yet done it as Thou, dear Jesus, dost wish, I now renew this offering as Thou dost desire me to renew it. And if Thou seest in my soul or my body anything that does not belong to this august princess, I pray Thee to take it and cat it far from me, for whatever in me does not belong to Mary is unworthy of Thee.

O Holy Spirit, grant me all these graces. Plant in my soul the Tree of true Life, which is Mary; cultivate it and tend it so that it may grow and blossom and bring forth the fruit of life in abundance. O Holy Spirit, give me great devotion to Mary. Thy faithful spouse; give me great confidence in her maternal heart and an abiding refuge in her mercy, so that by her Thou mayest truly form in me Jesus Christ, great and mighty, unto the fullness of His perfect age. Amen.

O Jesus living in Mary,
come and live in Thy servants,
in the spirit of Thy holiness,
in the fullness of Thy might,
in the truth of Thy virtues,
in the perfection of Thy ways
in the communion of Thy mysteries,
Subdue every hostile power
in Thy spirit, for the glory of the Father Amen.

THE CONSECRATION

"At the end of the three weeks," says St. Louis De Montfort, "they shall go to confession and to Communion, with the intention of giving themselves to Jesus Christ in the quality of slaves of love, by the hands of Mary. After Communion, which they should try to make according to the method given further on, they should recite the formula of their consecration, which they will also find further on. They ought to write it, or have it written, unless they have a printed copy of it; and they should sign it the same day they have made it. It would be well also that on that day they should pay some tribute to Jesus Christ and our Blessed Lady, either as a penance for their past unfaithfulness to the vows of their Baptism or as a testimony of their dependence on the dominion of Jesus and Mary. This tribute ought to be according to the devotion and ability of everyone; such as, a fast, a mortification, an alms or a candle. If they had but a pin to give in homage, yet gave it with good heart, it would be enough for Jesus, Who looks only at one's good will. Once a year at least, on the same day, they should renew the same consecration, observing the same practices during the three weeks. They might also once a month, or even once a day, renew all they have done in these few words: "I am all Thine and all that I have belongs to Thee, O my sweet Jesus, through Mary, Thy holy Mother.'"